Effect of 6,9-deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino)-delta 6,8-prostaglandin 1(1) (U-60,257), an inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis, on human neutrophil function

The environment of the lipoxygenase iron binding site explored with novel hydroxypyridinone iron chelators

The mechanisms of lipoxygenase inhibition by iron chelators have been investigated in human neutrophils and in isolated soybean lipoxygenase. Their Fe(III)-containing active sites have been targeted by synthesizing novel bidentate chelators from the hydroxypyridinone family sufficiently small to gain access through the hydrophobic channels of lipoxygenase. In stimulated human neutrophils, release of [3H]arachidonate-labeled eicosanoids is dependent on the lipid solubility of hydroxypyridinones, but larger hexadentate chelators have no effect on this or on total cellular leukotriene B4 production. Lipophilic hydroxypyridinones inhibit 5-lipoxygenase at equivalent concentrations to the established inhibitor, piriprost, and show additional but minor anti-phospholipase A2 activity. Soybean 15-lipoxygenase inhibition is also dependent on the lipid solubility and coordination structure of chelators. Inhibition is associated with the formation of chelate-iron complexes, which are removed by dialysis without restoration of enzyme activity. Only after adding back iron is activity restored. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies show the removal of the iron center signal (g = 6) is concomitant with formation of Fe(III)-chelator complexes, identical in spectral shape and g value to 3:1 hydroxypyridinone Fe(III) complexes. Removal of iron is not the only mechanism by which hydroxypyridinones can inhibit lipoxygenase in intact cells, however, as a lipophilic non-iron-binding hydroxypyridinone, which shows no inhibition of the soybean lipoxygenase activity, partially inhibits 5-lipoxygenase in intact neutrophils without inhibiting neutrophil phospholipase A2.

Inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis and polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions by orally active quinolylmethoxyphenylamines

The N-substituted quinolylmethoxyphenylamines, ETH603, ETH615 and ETH647, inhibited the formation of LTB4 in rat peritoneal leukocytes, human peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes and canine whole blood. In rat and human cells, the compounds also inhibited the formation of 5-HETE and stimulated the synthesis of 15-HETE. In rat leukocytes, the compounds were 15-30 times more potent inhibitors of LTB4 synthesis than nordihydroguaiaretic acid, but in canine whole blood they were significantly less potent, possibly due to protein binding. However, after oral administration of the compounds to dogs a long-lasting inhibition of LTB4 production in peripheral blood was observed at serum concentrations much lower than those required in vitro. Furthermore, the compounds inhibited the LTB4-directed chemotaxis and the phagocytosis of C. albicans blastospores by canine polymorphonuclear leukocytes both in vitro and following oral administration. The calcium ionophore A23187-induced release of LTB4 in the peritoneal cavity of rats was also inhibited by systemic administration of the compounds. We therefore conclude that these novel quinolines are orally active 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors which may accumulate in inflammatory cells in vivo, leading to potent inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis and cell function.

Hepoxilin A3 induces changes in cytosolic calcium, intracellular pH and membrane potential in human neutrophils

The effects of hepoxilin A3 (HxA3), a 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, on cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i), intracellular pH (pHi), transmembrane potential and right-angle light scattering in human neutrophils were investigated. A rapid, transient elevation of [Ca2+]i was observed with HxA3 which was dependent on the concentration used. The effect of HxA3 on [Ca2+]i was blocked by pertussis toxin, suggesting involvement of receptors coupled to GTP-binding proteins. Experiments in Ca2(+)-free medium and using intracellular Ca2+ chelators indicated that HxA3 mobilized Ca2+ from intracellular stores. At similar concentrations, HxA3 altered pHi, producing an initial acidification followed by an alkalinization. The initial acidification was decreased in cells loaded with a Ca2+ chelator. In the presence of N-ethyl-N-(1-methylethyl)amino amiloride, an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ antiport, HxA3 induced a greater acidification but failed to elicit the recovery phase, suggesting that the latter is due to activation of the antiport. HxA3 also depolarized the membrane potential, although this effect was small. A decrease in right-angle light scattering, qualitatively similar to that observed with chemotactic peptides, was seen with HxA3, indicating that the 12-lipoxygenase metabolite can induce shape changes in neutrophils. At the concentrations used for the above effects, HxA3 was unable to generate a respiratory burst. These findings suggest that hepoxilins, which are formed by stimulated neutrophils, may have a role as messengers in neutrophil activation.

Synergism between chemotactic peptide and platelet-activating factor in stimulating thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4 biosynthesis in human neutrophils

Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) were capable of stimulating thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) syntheses in human neutrophils, albeit in a relatively poor degree. A combination of FMLP and PAF, however, was synergistic in stimulating TXB2 and LTB4 syntheses. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) appeared to attenuate PAF- but not FMLP-induced arachidonate metabolism. These results suggest that cooperative action of FMLP and PAF on arachidonate release and metabolism does exist and that PMA-mediated protein kinase C activation may regulate FMLP and PAF actions in a different manner.

Effect of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor piriprost on superoxide production by human neutrophils

The effect of 6,9-deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino)-delta 6,8-prostaglandin I1 (Piriprost) on the oxidative response was studied in human neutrophils stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA) or opsonized zymosan. Piriprost inhibited the stimulatory effect of fMLP on superoxide anion (O2-) generation, at concentrations higher than those which depress leukotriene B4 (LTB4) formation. This inhibition was overcome by increasing the concentration of fMLP. Neither exogenous LTB4 nor indomethacin were able to reverse the inhibitory effect of piriprost on fMLP action. In contrast, piriprost did not inhibit the stimulation of O2- production induced by PMA or zymosan. Piriprost behaves thus as a specific and apparently competitive antagonist of fMLP: this action does not seem to involve lipoxygenase inhibition and might be exerted at the level of the fMLP receptor or its associated mechanisms of transduction.

The development of a sensitive and specific radioreceptor assay for leukotriene B4

To establish a simple and sensitive quantitation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), we developed a radioreceptor assay (RRA) using a highly specific [3H]leukotriene B4[( 3H]LTB4) binding to a guinea pig spleen homogenate. The assay detected LTB4 levels as low as 0.12 pmol per tube. Fifty percent inhibition of bound [3H]LTB4 was obtained by 2.5 nM of unlabeled LTB4. [3H]LTB4 competition studies indicated that 20-hydroxy-LTB4 was 8 times, 6-trans-LTB4 was 640 times and 20-carboxy-LTB4 was 1000 times less effective than LTB4. The peptide leukotrienes C4, D4 and E4 showed no effect on [3H]LTB4 binding. Recovery rates averaged 97% after ethanol extraction and evaporation of known amounts of LTB4. The intra-assay coefficients of variation for three samples were 2.4%, 7.2% and 8.4%, respectively. This assay was validated by measuring LTB4 released from human granulocytes stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187. The LTB4 level was maximal at 10 min (156.8 +/- 36.2 pmol/3 x 10(6) cells) and decreased rapidly after 15 min. This radioreceptor assay for leukotriene B4 is highly sensitive and is comparable to the reported sensitivity by radioimmunoassay. The method is simpler and less expensive than other methods such as high pressure liquid chromatography and is suitable for routine measurement of leukotriene B4.

Inhibition of human platelet and neutrophil function by piriprost (U-60,257)

Platelets and neutrophils are important in determining the extent of myocardial injury following coronary occlusion. The detrimental effects of these blood elements are mediated in part via release of arachidonate metabolites and oxidative species. A new selective inhibitor of leukotriene formation, piriprost (U-60,257), has been observed to decrease both neutrophil accumulation in the myocardium and infarct size following coronary ligation in experimental animals. Since piriprost may have clinical use, we examined its effects on human platelet and neutrophil functions. This compound was found to exert potent inhibitory effects on epinephrine-induced human platelet aggregation and TXA2 biosynthesis (IC50 0.04 microM). Piriprost also inhibited human neutrophil chemotaxis, oxidative species release, aggregation, and LTB4 synthesis with IC50 of 0.1, 0.04, 10 and 14 microM, respectively. Thus, piriprost inhibits a variety of human platelet and neutrophil functions. Because of its suppressive effects on human platelet and neutrophil functions and protective effects in experimental myocardial infarction, this agent may have clinical applications.

Human polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation with arachidonic acid

The capacity of arachidonic acid (AA) to stimulate granule exocytosis from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) was investigated. AA induced the selected extracellular release of azurophil (myeloperoxidase, lysozyme) and specific (lysozyme, vitamin B12 binding protein) granule constituents from human PMNs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Cytochalasin B (CB) enhanced but was not required for PMN activation with AA. Although extracellular calcium had no effect on granule exocytosis, AA did stimulate the mobilization of intracellular sequestered Ca2+ which resulted in an increase in cytosolic-free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) as reflected by increased fluorescence of Fura-2-treated cells. AA stimulated Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PK-C) activity in PMNs. 4,4'-Diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulphonic acid stilbene (DIDS), an anion channel blocker, caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of granule enzyme release. Activation of PMNs with AA was unaffected by the lipoxygenase/cycle-oxygenase inhibitors, 5,8,11, 14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) and benoxaprofen, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, 6, 9, deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino) delta 6,8-prostaglandin 1(1) (piriprost potassium) or a pure cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, flurbiprofen. These data define the properties of AA as a secretory stimulus for human PMNs.

Experiments on the mode of action of piriprost (U-60,257), an inhibitor of leukotriene formation in cloned mouse mast cells and in rat basophil leukemia cells

We studied the effect of piriprost, an inhibitor of sulfidopeptide leukotriene (LT) formation, on the generation of the known products of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonate metabolism in calcium ionophore A23187-challenged rat basophil leukemia cells and cloned, growth factor-dependent, mouse mast cells. Piriprost inhibited the formation of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), and LTB4, and the sulfidopeptide leukotrienes (LTC4 in the mouse mast cells and both LTC4 and a mixture of LTD4 and LTE4 in the rat basophil leukemia cells) in parallel (IC50 values ranged between 9 and 14 microM for the mouse mast cells and between 15 and 50 microM for the basophil leukemia cells). Our previous observation that piriprost is only a very weak inhibitor of the solubilized LTC synthase of rat basophil leukemia cells was extended to similar enzyme preparations derived from the mouse mast cells (IC50 1.5 mM). The results are consistent with the conclusion that piriprost acts as an inhibitor of the 5-lipoxygenase reaction and that its activity in intact cells is not likely to involve the inhibition of the LTC synthase.

Effect of inhaled piriprost (U-60, 257) a novel leukotriene inhibitor, on allergen and exercise induced bronchoconstriction in asthma

The leukotrienes, a group of oxidative metabolites of arachidonic acid, have potent pharmacological actions on human airways. We have investigated the effects of a leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, piriprost (U-60, 257) administered by inhalation on allergen and exercise induced bronchoconstriction in 12 subjects with allergic asthma. Subjects underwent diagnostic challenges with allergen and treadmill exercise to define the strengths of the stimuli required to reduce the FEV1 to about 25% of baseline (PS25). On separate study days subjects inhaled either piriprost 1 mg or vehicle placebo, followed 15 minutes later by the PS25 allergen or exercise. The FEV1 was measured at regular intervals before and after challenge up to 60 minutes. After allergen challenge in six subjects peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured for the following 20 hours. When compared with placebo, inhalation of piriprost had no significant protective effect on the fall in FEV1 at any time point within 60 minutes of allergen or exercise challenge. In the four subjects with a documented late asthmatic reaction 2-12 hours after allergen challenge piriprost had no protective effect when compared with placebo. In the subjects who recorded PEF over 20 hours after allergen challenge there was no significant difference between piriprost and placebo. Piriprost was appreciably more irritant to the respiratory tract than was placebo. On the assumption that inhaled piriprost was bioavailable in the airways, this study casts doubt on any theory of a pivotal role for leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of acute exercise and allergen induced airway bronchoconstriction in asthma.

Ionophore-dependent generation of eicosanoids in human dispersed lung cells. Modulation by 6,9-deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino)-delta 6,8-prostaglandin I1 (U-60,257)

6,9-Deepoxy-6-9-(phenylimino)-delta 6,8-prostaglandin I1, a prostacyclin analogue reported to inhibit sulphidopeptide leukotriene formation in animals, was evaluated for its pharmacological activity against eicosanoid and histamine release from human dispersed lung cells (HDLC). In the absence of drug, challenge of HDLC with A23187 (2.5 microM) increased immunoreactive eicosanoid generation by factors of 7.6 for prostaglandin (PG) D2, 9.1 for TXB2, 3.2 for PGF2 alpha, 2.0 for 5-HETE, 6.3 for LTC4, in association with a twofold increase in histamine release. When exogenous [14C]-arachidonic acid was added to HDLC simultaneously with A23187 challenge, radiolabelled eicosanoids were recovered in the supernatant, but on separating the products by radio-thin layer chromatography the proportions of individual eicosanoids were not significantly different from unchallenged cells. With endogenous arachidonate, U-60,257 was a potent inhibitor of i-LTC4 generation at 1 microM, but between 3 and 300 microM there was a concentration-related reversal of this inhibition. The effects of U-60,257 on the metabolism of exogenous [14C]-arachidonic acid were also studied. Under these circumstances the drug was a potent inhibitor of both 5-HETE and 5,12-diHETE formation, without significantly affecting the formation of other mono-HETES. In agreement with previous endogenous substrate experiments there was a concentration-dependent inhibition of TxB2 formation from exogenous arachidonic acid. These findings highlight the complex pharmacological actions of U-60,257 which appear dependent on the source of arachidonic acid substrate.

A possible requirement for arachidonic acid lipoxygenation in the mechanism of phagocytic degranulation by human neutrophils stimulated with aggregated immunoglobulin G

Aggregated immunoglobulin G (AggIgG) caused a concentration-dependent extracellular release of granule-associated lysozyme and myeloperoxidase (MPO) from human neutrophils. Generation of the 5-lipoxygenase product of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis,8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid [leukotriene B4 (LTB4)], by neutrophils is exposed to AggIgG occurred in the presence but not absence of exogenous AA. U-60,257B (piriprost potassium), an inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis, caused a dose-related suppression of LTB4 production and granule exocytosis by AggIgG-treated cells. These data suggest that a lipoxygenase product of AA metabolism may mediate AggIgG-induced phagocytic release of granule constituents from neutrophils.

Interleukin-1 stimulates granule exocytosis from human neutrophils

The interaction of human polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (neutrophils) with interleukin-1 (IL-1) resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent, selective, release of azurophil (myeloperoxidase, lysozyme) and specific (lysozyme, vitamin B12-binding protein) granule constituents. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lysozyme secretion was markedly attenuated if neutrophils were not exposed to cytochalasin B (CB) prior to contact with IL-1. Degranulation was significantly enhanced in the presence of extracellular calcium. IL-1-elicited granule exocytosis was inhibited by the intracellular calcium antagonist, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-(3,4,5-trimethoxy) benzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8), a calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine (TFP), and an anion channel blocker, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS). An evaluation of the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in IL-1-induced neutrophil activation revealed a suppressive effect on enzyme release exerted by the lipoxygenase inhibitors, piriprost potassium (6,9,deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino)-delta 6,8 -prostaglandin I1, U-60,257B) and NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid), and a cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor, ETYA (5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid). These data describe the characteristics of IL-1 as a human neutrophil secretagogue, and enhance our insight into the mechanism of inflammatory cell activation with this monokine.

Inhibition of leukotriene C4 and B4 generation by human eosinophils and neutrophils with the lipoxygenase pathway inhibitors U60257 and BW755C

Human eosinophils and neutrophils have the capacity to generate leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) respectively when stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187. Leukotriene production by mixtures of these cell types was measured by radioimmunoassay for LTC4 and LTB4, and the specificities of the assays determined by assessing cross-reactivities with a number of other arachidonic acid metabolites. The IC50S for LTC4 and LTB4 in their respective assays were 1.76 +/- 0.04 nmol and 3.00 +/- 0.08 nmol. Cross-reactivity for anti-LTC4 was shown by leukotriene D4 (LTD4) (70%) and leukotriene E4 (LTE4) (8%), when compared to LTC4, whereas in the radioimmunoassay for LTB4, only the 5(S), 12(R) 6-trans isomer of LTB4 showed appreciable interaction (12%). LTC4 production by eosinophil enriched cell fractions obtained from metrizamide gradients was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by the prostacyclin analogue, 6,9-deepoxy-6,9-phenylimino-delta 6,8-prostaglandin I, (U60257) and by 3-amino-1-(3-trifluoromethyl phenyl)-2-pyrazole (BW755C). The ID50 values for U60257 and BW755C were 2 X 10(-6) and 5 X 10(-6) M respectively. This demonstration of LTC4 production by human eosinophils, which are known to be important cells in clinical asthma, provides an in vitro model to assess 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors in human tissue.

6,7,4'-Trihydroxyisoflavan: a potent and selective inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase in human and porcine peripheral blood leukocytes

The effect of 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavan on human platelet 12-lipoxygenase and human and porcine PMNL 5-lipoxygenase activities has been studied. 6,7,4'-Trihydroxyisoflavan was found to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase more strongly than 12-lipoxygenase; its concentration for 50% inhibition (IC50) was 1.6 microM for human and porcine 5-lipoxygenase and 22 microM for human platelet 12-lipoxygenase. Inhibition of microsomal cyclooxygenase from ram seminal vesicles is exhibited at much higher concentrations of 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavan (IC50 = 200 microM).

Activation of the human neutrophil secretory process with 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid

Exposure of human neutrophils to 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (leukotriene B4, LTB4) resulted in a time- and concentration- (10(-9)-10(-6) M) dependent extracellular release of granule-associated lysozyme and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Enzyme extrusion was negligible if cells were not pretreated with cytochalasin B prior to exposure to LTB4. A time-dependent deactivation of granule exocytosis was observed in neutrophils which were stimulated with LTB4 prior to contact with cytochalasin B. LTB4-induced enzyme release was markedly enhanced in the presence of extracellular calcium. Nevertheless, significant enzyme discharge occurred in the absence of extracellular calcium, and the percent of total activity released was not altered in the presence of EGTA. The calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine (TFP), and the intracellular calcium antagonist, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-(3,4,5-trimethoxy)benzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8), caused a dose-related inhibition of enzyme release from LTB4-stimulated neutrophils. Degranulation was suppressed by the glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), and the sulfhydryl reagents iodoacetic acid (IA) and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Sodium cyanide was inactive. Two inhibitors of transmethylation, 3-deazaadenosine (3-DZA) and L-homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL), alone or in combination, had no effect on LTB4-elicited degranulation. The protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, was inactive. Neutrophils pretreated with LTB4 or 5(S),12(R),20-trihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-OH-LTB4, an omega-oxidation metabolite of LTB4) were desensitized to the subsequent exposure to LTB4. Cross-desensitization was also demonstrated between LTB4 and 20-OH-LTB4. The stimulus specific nature of LTB4-induced desensitization of neutrophil degranulation was demonstrated by the fact that cells exposed to 1-O-hexadecyl/octadecyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine (AGEPC) or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) were capable of inducing granule exocytosis from LTB4-pretreated neutrophils. Enzyme release from LTB4-treated cells was suppressed with the phospholipase inhibitor, 4-bromophenacyl bromide (4-BPB), the cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor, ETYA, and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, U-60, 257. However, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, flurbiprofen, exerted a weak suppressive effect on LTB4-induced degranulation.

Ca2+-dependent conversion of phosphatidylinositol to phosphatidate in neutrophils stimulated with fMet-Leu-Phe or ionophore A23187

Human and rabbit neutrophils stimulated with formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe) and A23187 show a loss of phosphatidylinositol and an increase in phosphatidate. In cells prelabelled with 32Pi it would be expected that the newly synthesised phosphatidate would have the same specific activity as cellular ATP, provided that the loss of phosphatidylinositol is by phospholipase C attack and the resultant diacyglycerol is phosphorylated by ATP. Instead, it is demonstrated that the specific activity of newly-formed phosphatidate is less than a tenth of the specific activity of ATP initially followed by a gradual increase. The time-course of mass and of [3H]glycerol-labelled phosphatidate formation (from cells pulse-labelled with [3H]glycerol) is similar to enzyme release but differs from the generation of 32P-labelled phosphatidate (from cells prelabelled with 32Pi). The source of the newly formed phosphatidate is most likely from phosphatidylinositol because: (a) The increase in phosphatidate is always accompanied by a loss of phosphatidylinositol with no changes in the other lipids. (b) Cells pulse-labelled with [3H]glycerol lose label from phosphatidylinositol only and this is accompanied by an increase in label in phosphatidate. (c) The specific activity of the newly synthesised phosphatidate is closest to the specific activity of phosphatidylinositol. One plausible explanation for these results is that phosphatidylinositol is directly converted to phosphatidate by phospholipase D action and the resulting phosphatidate accumulates radioactivity by exchange of its phosphate group with ATP. It is also shown that enzyme secretion and conversion of phosphatidylinositol to phosphatidate can depend on both intra- as well as extracellular Ca2+. Depletion of the intracellular pool of Ca2+ is essential to inhibit totally the enzyme secretion and the conversion of phosphatidylinositol to phosphatidate in agreement with our previous results on rabbit neutrophils (Cockcroft, S., et al. (1981) Biochem. J. 200, 501-508).

Superoxide production of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by leukotriene B4

Leukotriene B4 stimulated a transient production of superoxide anions (O2-) by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes which continued for only about 1 min. The production was dependent on Ca2+ in the suspending medium and no production was observed without the addition of calcium. The concentrations of leukotriene B4 and calcium for the half-maximal production were about 1 microM and 200 microM, respectively. 8-(N,N,-Diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), an intracellular calcium antagonist, did not inhibit the O2- production stimulated by leukotriene B4 in the presence of calcium, while N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7), a calmodulin inhibitor, did. When leukotriene B4 was added to the cells treated with cytochalasin B, the production of O2- was biphasic: an initial rapid phase, followed by a slow one. The slow phase was also dependent on Ca2+ concentrations but it could be induced even without the addition of Ca2+ to the medium. The cells treated with both cytochalasin B and TMB-8 in Ca2+-free medium showed a negligible production of superoxide on addition of leukotriene B4, but the production appeared upon addition of CaCl2. These findings suggest that the superoxide production stimulated by leukotriene B4 is associated with the influx of Ca2+.